Beryl touches hearts of the vulnerable
Autumn is Beryl Downs' favourite season. She enjoys watching the colours of the season change. Autumn also serves as a reminder of a forthcoming breakup that she will have to deal with due to her son's death. She started a blanket drive to keep vulnerable individuals warm.
Matthew Downs Blanket Drive hosted another successful event in its quest to provide charitable services to the community.
The initiative was born in 2016 following the 16-year-old Matthew Downs’ death.
Matthew died from staphylococcus pneumonia.
According to Matthew’s mom, Beryl, he had a hard time accepting the possibility of human suffering.
“He always questioned God’s goodness for allowing people to suffer so much and urged me to give money to the homeless people at the traffic lights,” said Beryl.
“I wish I could just have the conversation with him again today, as we had many, but I would have the right answer for him this time. God uses people to extend His grace to those in need,” said Beryl.
Beryl said that in preparation for his funeral, she was reminded that he was ‘not a flowers’ person and thought about how best they could honour his memory. As a family, they decided to ask people to bring a blanket for the homeless ministry in their church instead of flowers.
And so the Matthew Downs Blanket Drive was born.
Among the sponsors, the drive is influenced by two-parent families who donate above and beyond each year to ensure that individuals are kept warm.
Marchell Patrova said that she donates these blankets because it is necessary for her to help where she can and ensure that no one endures the pain of suffering from coldness in the community of Alberton.
“I have known Beryl for quite a long time because she taught all of my three children in Brackenhurst Primary and after she lost her son, she has been a helping hand in the community. That is why I associated myself with this drive,” said Patrova.
The Downs family joined forces with Brackenhurst Primary School and this year they have managed to donate over 200 blankets to the challenged people in the community of Alberton.
“We will continue handing out these blankets where we see the need to ensure that everyone during this winter season is kept warm. My son struggled so much with the ‘why God allows this’ question, that’s when I knew I needed to be the helping hand,” said Beryl.
According to the Alberton Samaritan, she is constantly reminded of God’s grace as Autumn approaches and her heart begins to hurt simply thinking about the approaching anniversary of his passing and how they would once more make it through it unhurt.
Beryl said that God uses them and their motivation to ease the suffering of others and their own broken hearts.
Brackenhurst Methodist Church was also one of the fortunate entities to receive these special donations.
Children and youth coordinator of Brackenhurst Methodist Church, Natalie Oosthuizen, said that the donation means a lot to them, and they appreciate the donations. They will also take these blankets to help the vulnerable individuals in their community.
“God has shown that we are called to aid the destitute this year as we enter this season once more, although I wish I didn’t have to go through this journey again,” Beryl concluded.
